Ukraine and Hungary held online talks on Wednesday, May 20, aimed at reviving strained bilateral relations following the election defeat of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. According to AFP, relations between Kyiv and Budapest deteriorated during Orbán’s 16 years in power, as the Kremlin-friendly leader repeatedly opposed Ukraine’s European Union accession bid and blocked EU aid packages for Kyiv.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Ukraine wants to open a new, mutually beneficial chapter in our bilateral relations based on trust,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said in a statement published on X ahead of the talks. Sybiha said Ukraine’s EU accession should be viewed as “a strategic interest for Hungary,” adding that membership would help strengthen Hungarian national unity and ensure the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. The status of the Hungarian-speaking minority in western Ukraine has remained Budapest’s central concern in relations with Kyiv for years. “The consistent protection of the rights of national minorities is the first issue we must address,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán said. “Genuine progress requires open, honest, and professional dialogue built on clear legal guarantees. I believe that today’s consultations can mark the beginning of a new process,” she added.